Harm from smoking is even greater than previously thought

Smoking is even more dangerous than previously believed, according to a major review of epidemiological data by the World Health Organization's cancer agency. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also published the first evidence to link conclusively second hand smoke with increased risk of cancer.

The agency convened 29 scientists from 12 countries to review all significant published research on both active and passive smoking. They state unequivocally that even an average degree of passive exposure to tobacco products can cause lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

“It's been suspected …